City of Santa Clara
Meeting Minutes
Parks & Recreation Commission
Draft
7:00 PM Hybrid Meeting
Sparacino Conference Room - City Hall East Wing
1500 Warburton Avenue
Santa Clara, CA 95050
07/14/2025
The City of Santa Clara is conducting the Parks & Recreation Commission meeting in a hybrid manner (in-person and a method for the public to participate remotely).
Join Zoom Meeting
https://santaclaraca.zoom.us/j/89140287145?pwd=vxTpbZL37PSa9tyNRsapnbNKFauJJP.1 Meeting ID: 891 4028 7145
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CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order by Chair Chu at 7:00 PM.
Chair Maureen Chu, Commissioner Derek DeMarco,
Commissioner Eversley Forte, Commissioner Vikas Gupta, and Commissioner Edward A. Souza
Present 5 -
Commissioner Dana Caldwell, and Commissioner Brittany RickettsAbsent 2 - A motion was made by Commissioner DeMarco and seconded by Commissioner Forte to excuse Commissioners Rickets and
Caldwell from the July 14, 2025 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting.
Aye:
Chair Chu, Commissioner DeMarco, Commissioner Forte,
Commissioner Gupta, and Commissioner Souza
5 -
Absent: Commissioner Caldwell, and Commissioner Ricketts2 -
CONSENT CALENDAR
07/14/2025Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
1. 25-711 Action on the Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes of the June 9, 2025, Meeting
Recommendation: Approve the Parks & Recreation Commission Minutes of the June 9, 2025, Meeting.
A motion was made by Commissioner DeMarco and seconded by Commissioner Gupta to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2025 Parks & Recreation meeting.
Aye:
Chair Chu, Commissioner DeMarco, Commissioner Forte,
Commissioner Gupta, and Commissioner Souza
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Caldwell, and Commissioner Ricketts2 -
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 25-637
A member of the public spoke regarding finding a large amount of tennis balls in the creek and urged staff to build a higher fence near the ball wall at the Tennis Center in Central Park.
This item was referred to staff.
Action on the Proposed Schematic Design for the New Public Park at 2518 Mission College Boulevard (Irvine Company)
Recommendation: Recommend that the City Council approve the proposed Schematic Design for the New Public Park at 2518 Mission College Blvd.
A motion was made by Commissioner Forte and seconded by Commissioner DeMarco that City Council approve the proposed schematic design for the new public park at 2518 Mission College Boulevard
Aye:
Chair Chu, Commissioner DeMarco, Commissioner Forte,
Commissioner Gupta, and Commissioner Souza
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Caldwell, and Commissioner Ricketts2 -
3. 25-712 Status Update on the Progress Made on the FY 2025/26 Parks & Recreation Commission’s Work Plan Goals
Recommendation:
Discuss and develop Parks & Recreation Commission Work Plan Goals and Activities for FY 2025/26.
The Commission reviewed the work plan. No action was taken on this item.
07/14/2025Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
STAFF REPORT
Deputy Director Dale Seale
The Placer AI agreement is in its final stages of preparation, and we should have access to the application within a month or so. The Deputy Director will be retiring Friday 7/18/2025. He served the community for just over 12 years as the Deputy Director. He is very grateful to the Commission as well as the Parks & Recreation staff for the many years of service and excellent work.
Recreation Manager Kim Castro
The Wild Robot will be showing in Central Park Friday July 18, 2025. The concert in the Park on July 25, 2025, will be a salsa band. There will be dancing lessons prior to the concert that evening. Alice in Wonderland will be showing at MCCPA. Street Dance will be on August 1, 2025. Fall Registration will start on July 22, 2025. Recreation Manager Castro reminded the Commission that they will soon need to decide on a tree lighter for the Holiday Tree Lighting event.
Recreation manager Castro also recognized Office Specialist III Sandy Le’s last day on Friday July 18, 2025. Her excellent work and kindness will be missed.
07/14/2025Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes
COMMISSIONERS REPORT
Commissioner DeMarco: The Commissioner visited Westwood Oaks Park and noticed a Police presence. The Commissioner also visited the Senior Center & Fremont Park.
Commissioner Forte
The commissioner attended the July 4th event as well as the Special Olympics at Santa Clara University. He also attended concerts at Mission College and the Juneteenth Festival in San Jose and the one in Santa Clara. Commissioner Forte attended the master Plan Committee Meeting. The Commissioner met with a local walking group and decided to inquire with them regarding feedback they may have regarding the parks.
Commissioner Gupta
Visited Westwood Oaks and expressed how fantastic it looked! The Commissioner did quite a bit of traveling with his family in Canada and took note of their public spaces and public plazas. The Commissioner reported how much open space was freely available and how inviting the environment was to their local community. He recommends getting into contact with their Public Works or Parks Departments to learn more about their general aesthetics and community services.
Commissioner Souza
The Commissioner visited Eddie Souza parks roughly 4 times weekly. The Commissioner also visited Thamien, Plaza, War Memorial and the Senior Center for his fitness class. The Commissioner expressed his love and appreciation for the new Magical Bridge Playground.
Commissioner Chu
Thanked the team for the 4th of July Celebration. Loves the summer programming for her children. Made a recommendation for a Tree Lighter Emily Adorable.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Commissioner DeMarco and seconded by Commissioner Gupta to adjourn the July 14, 2025 Parks & Recreation Commission meeting at 8:40 pm
Aye:
Chair Chu, Commissioner DeMarco, Commissioner Forte,
Commissioner Gupta, and Commissioner Souza
5 -
Excused: Commissioner Caldwell, and Commissioner Ricketts2 -
MEETING DISCLOSURES
07/14/2025Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes The time limit within which to commence any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City is governed by Section 1094.6 of the Code of Civil Procedure, unless a shorter limitation period is specified by any other provision. Under Section 1094.6, any lawsuit or legal challenge to any quasi-adjudicative decision made by the City must be filed no later than the 90th day following the date on which such decision becomes final. Any lawsuit or legal challenge, which is not filed within that 90-day period, will be barred. If a person wishes to challenge the nature of the above section in court, they may be limited to raising only those issues they or someone else raised at the meeting described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City of Santa Clara, at or prior to the meeting. In addition, judicial challenge may be limited or barred where the interested party has not sought and exhausted all available administrative remedies.
If a member of the public submits a speaker card for any agenda items, their name will appear in the Minutes. If no speaker card is submitted, the Minutes will reflect "Public Speaker."
In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ("ADA"), the City of Santa Clara will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities, and will ensure that all existing facilities will be made accessible to the maximum extent feasible. The City of Santa Clara will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities including those with speech, hearing, or vision impairments so they can participate equally in the City’s programs, services, and activities. The City of Santa Clara will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities.
Agendas and other written materials distributed during a public meeting that are public record will be made available by the City in an appropriate alternative format.
Contact the City Clerk’s Office at 1 408-615-2220 with your request for an alternative format copy of the agenda or other written materials.
Individuals who require an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or any other disability-related modification of policies or procedures, or other accommodation, in order to participate in a program, service, or activity of the City of Santa Clara, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator at 408-615-3000 as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours before the scheduled event.